Chapter 207 His Sense of Ritual in Serving the Emperor
Emperor Zhaoheng stayed overnight at Lihe Palace that day.
The brocade curtains fell, and Shui Xian, dressed in her nightgown, was now fully recovered. Although her blood and energy were still weak, she could still engage in normal sexual activity.
After all, it takes an average woman several years to fully recover after childbirth.
Having given birth to twins was almost like dying once, and she needed to be carefully recuperated with rare and precious herbs for several years to slowly restore her health.
However, Shui Xian reiterated that she never regarded Emperor Zhaoheng as an object of love, but rather as an object of exploitation.
What she cared about was Emperor Zhaoheng's power, so Shuixian dutifully fulfilled her duties as a concubine, and after bathing, she planned to serve him in bed.
Unexpectedly, it was Emperor Zhaoheng who was concerned about her health.
Go to bed early.
He lay down beside her, pulled her into his arms, and gently stroked her back.
It was an extremely warm embrace, especially for Narcissus, who always felt cold in her hands and feet after giving birth; she felt as if she were enveloped in a warm hug.
Warm, but not erotic.
Narcissus didn't insist. She leaned against his chest, and soon her breathing became gentle.
Emperor Zhaoheng shared a bed with her after a long time. Although they did not consummate their marriage, he was still very excited.
After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes, his deep gaze showing no signs of sleepiness.
He gazed at the narcissus in his arms, and very gently lifted a stray strand of hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear.
——
For several days in a row, Emperor Zhaoheng occasionally stayed at Lihe Palace, but did not allow Shui Xian to attend to him in bed.
Just when Shui Xian thought the two had entered the mode of an old married couple, and was even seriously considering whether she should take the initiative to push things forward, one autumn night, she witnessed the surprise that Emperor Zhao Heng had given her.
After dinner that day, the two spent some time in the study when Emperor Zhaoheng suddenly wanted to take her to the courtyard to admire the moon.
Today is neither the fifteenth nor the sixteenth, so what's the point of admiring the moon?
Shui Xian was puzzled, but decided not to disturb Emperor Zhaoheng's mood, so she walked hand in hand with him into the courtyard.
In the backyard of Lihe Palace, under that ancient tree, everything had been carefully arranged.
A soft brocade carpet was laid out on the floor, and a large rosewood couch was set up, with a jade pillow and silk quilt on it.
On a low table to the side, amber-colored wine was served in a glass goblet, various seasonal fruits were piled on a crystal plate, and a few mimosa flowers were scattered around the table.
The moon hangs high in the sky, its clear light like a ribbon, and the stars resemble shattered diamonds.
A gentle evening breeze carries a delicate fragrance that mingles with the aromas of wine and fruit, creating a boundless and enchanting romance.
Emperor Zhaoheng stood with his hands behind his back under the tree. He dismissed all his attendants, wanting only to enjoy this moment of tranquility with the person in his heart.
When Shui Xian noticed the gaze directed at her by Emperor Zhaoheng, she showed a hint of surprise, along with pure joy.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Zhaoheng was quite the ritualist.
It was quite a coincidence that when Narcissus had just finished her dinner and changed her clothes, she had applied some perfume powder all over her body. The scent was fresh and natural, almost imperceptible.
She was wearing a pale yellow silk dress, its soft texture clinging to her skin and highlighting her still shapely figure after childbirth, with a scarlet long coat over it.
The crimson hue wasn't dazzling under the moonlight; instead, it resembled a hazy mist, adding a touch of mystery.
"Your Majesty's arrangements are very pleasing to me..."
Narcissus approached, picked up a mimosa flower from the couch, and gently rubbed the petals, finding them soft and smooth to the touch.
Emperor Zhaoheng led her to sit on the soft couch, and personally picked up the glass wine pot to pour her a cup: "The autumn night is a little chilly, drink some wine to warm yourself up."
The two sat facing each other, separated by a low table with drinks, tea, and fruit.
At first, they simply drank wine in silence, admired the moon, and listened to the rustling of the wind through the treetops.
Emperor Zhaoheng gazed at her profile, which appeared even more radiant and translucent in the moonlight, and felt an indescribable surge of emotion within him.
After a few cups of warm wine, the atmosphere gradually became more lively.
Emperor Zhaoheng took the initiative to bring up the past. Looking at the courtyard in front of him where he had grown up, he couldn't help but talk more, recounting his childhood favorite things, such as running under the eaves and catching insects in the trees.
Narcissus listened quietly, occasionally chiming in with a few words, her gaze following him.
Gradually, the effects of the wine spread across her cheeks, giving them a captivating blush.
She seemed slightly tipsy, her body swaying slightly before she gently leaned against Emperor Zhaoheng's shoulder.
“Yiheng…”
She murmured, her voice slightly hoarse from the alcohol and with an unprecedented boldness, calling him by his name.
Emperor Zhaoheng's body trembled slightly. Apart from his mother, no one had ever dared to call him that.
But the words that came out of her mouth at that moment stirred up endless emotions in his heart.
She leaned on his shoulder, continuing her dreamlike whisper: "I don't ask to possess you entirely, I know that's impossible... I only ask that in your heart there will always be a place for me and the children, just a small corner..."
"Yiheng, these palace walls are deep and cold as ice, only you... only you can warm me..."
Her voice grew softer and softer, tinged with sobs, as if she were revealing her deepest dependence to him without reservation, fueled by the alcohol.
Emperor Zhaoheng was deeply moved by her completely trusting attitude.
He looked down at the slightly tipsy eyes, flushed cheeks, and slightly parted lips that exhaled sweet fragrance. The long-suppressed longing in his heart surged forth like a flood bursting its banks.
He could no longer resist, so he bent down, cupped the back of her head, and kissed the corner of her lips.
It began as a gentle probing, as if confirming with lips and tongue. After sensing Narcissus's response, it became a whirlwind of deep penetration and entanglement.
The aroma of wine lingered on their lips, mingling with her elegant scent, creating a captivating atmosphere.
He tightened his arms, pressing her soft body closer to his embrace, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.
The kiss had just ended, and both of them were a little unsteady on their feet.
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at her shimmering eyes and increasingly red lips, his gaze filled with undisguised, burning desire.
He picked her up horizontally.
Narcissus trembled slightly, her arms naturally encircling his neck, burying her face in his chest, appearing completely surrendering.
He carried her in his arms and strode towards the inner chamber of the bedchamber...
The canopy was lowered, layer upon layer, isolating it from the outside world.
Their clothes trailed on the ground, like clouds scattered across the sky.
Although Narcissus was well-prepared, it was her first time receiving favor after giving birth, so she was inevitably a little awkward.
When he kissed her again, her delicate eyebrows furrowed involuntarily with his movement, and she let out a soft whimper.
Emperor Zhaoheng sensed her tension and his movements instantly became extremely gentle.
He patiently kissed her eyebrows and eyes, and finally covered her lips with his own, lingering and tenderly, with endless comfort.
"Don't be afraid...Xian'er, I'm here..."
His deep voice whispered in her ear, carrying a reassuring magic.
The moonlight and starlight from outside the window shone through the thin gauze curtains, casting a hazy glow on the intertwined figures on the couch, rendering everything tender and dreamlike.
After an unknown amount of time, the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped...
The hall was filled with a unique, ambiguous atmosphere that lingered after everything had happened.
Emperor Zhaoheng still held Shuixian tightly, his hand casually playing with her silky black hair that was scattered on the pillow, his heart filled with unprecedented satisfaction.
The suspicions and irritability of the past few days seemed to have been completely soothed by the physical and mental connection just now.
He looked down at the woman sleeping soundly in his arms, her face appearing serene and beautiful in the hazy moonlight filtering through the gauze curtains.
Emperor Zhaoheng did not fall asleep. He had not stayed overnight in Lihe Palace for a long time, which made him excited and unable to sleep even late at night.
Even more, a more insane impulse lurked within him...
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at the sleeping Narcissus and whispered a promise that wouldn't disturb her sleep:
"Xian'er, I was wrong today. In the future, I will never let you suffer any grievances because of me again."
When he was lucid during the day, as an emperor, he would never have been so frank in admitting his mistakes to her.
But now, the impulse surging within Emperor Zhaoheng made him whisper:
"That phoenix crown... I will one day put it on you with my own hands."
He thought she was asleep.
However, deep within his unseen embrace, Narcissus's long, butterfly-like eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.
She heard his promise.
Phoenix crown? Empress's position?
Narcissus's heart was not greatly disturbed. It was the most prestigious position in the harem, but it was not the end of the harem.
From the day she became Emperor Zhaoheng's concubine, she was destined to struggle for survival in the inner palace.
Without family or support, even if she becomes empress, who knows if other women will appear?
Narcissus once thought that as long as she became the most honored person in the harem, she could live her peaceful life.
But now that she holds a high position of power and influence, as the most honored Imperial Noble Consort below the Empress in the harem, and has even received a man's promise to make her Empress...
Narcissus discovers that what awaits her in the future is still only endless scheming and plotting.
As the night deepened, the air inside Lihe Palace was filled with the warmth of spring, but it could not warm Shuixian's calm and almost icy heart.
She had no other choice.
In this harem, she can only rely on herself!
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